Huge sums paid to bosses at failing Medway Maritime Hospital

Medway NHS Foundation Trust has hired more than 30 interim managers for six-figure sums in recent months, an investigation has revealed.

The report by the Sunday Telegraph revealed the colossal sums paid at Medway Maritime Hospital, where it's believed at least ten senior managers receive more than £200,000 a year, with one being paid up to £540,000 a year.

Last week MP Tracey Crouch launched a blistering attack after it emerged hospital boss Christopher Langley was being paid almost £200,000 a year to work as little as one day a week, slamming his pay as "obscene" and "shocking."

Christopher Langley, interim chairman of Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Mr Langley and chief executive Nigel Beverley - who gets £1,450 a day - were brought in to turn around the hospital, which was first placed in special measures last year, then issued with warning notices to make urgent improvements in A&E and maternity wards following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

And yet it is thought an upcoming report from regulators will rate the hospital as “inadequate” – the worst possible level – while the trust itself has admitted it needs 120 more nurses to provide safe care.

The Sunday Telegraph believes Mr Langley and Mr Beverley are just two of dozens of “interim” administrators to receive such packages at the hospital.

Medway Maritime Hospital

Banking specialist Robert Griffiths, paid more than £45,000 a month as the trust’s “treasurer” and assistant James Mitchell, on £25,000 a month, were two others named by the report.

Monitor, which regulates foundation trusts and ordered Mr Langley's appointment, said the trust needed the right people in place to improve.